The full collection of tables, chairs and a stool are showing at Custom Lane Gallery for the first time. Hope you get a chance to see them before they are shown at London Design Fair, Truman Brewery stand L02, 21st to 24th September.

The main event has been the exhibition ‘After the Storm‘ , held in the John Hope Gateway Gallery of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. 12 cabinet makers from the Scottish Furniture Makers Association designed and made furniture using timber from the gardens blown down in 2012 by Cyclone Andrea. Oak, cedar, maple and chestnut formed the most usable wood. With the support of Forestry Commission Scotland, RBGE and members of SFMA, the exhibition became a celebration of creative talent.

Here is an image of the piece I collaborated on with Gavin Robertson – Gavin the experienced maker and me the designer. Always an interesting interchange when two creative people work together for common purpose. I hope we will have the opportunity to do this again.

Tsunami chart cabinet made from cedar and yew

Many people experience the rising of water, albeit gently but inexorable, over the parapets designed to protect.

The exhibition closes on 28th May.

A book written to complement the event is available in the shop. It explores ecological change, resilience and renewal in the context of Cyclone Andrea and has pictures of the furniture.

In addition to the exhibition, a bench for the gardens has been sponsored by the MS society (Edinburgh and the Lothians) and made by Angus Ross. It is to be a place of reflection and a destination for visitors. The MS Society were particularly supportive of this project because people who have the condition have had to make major adjustments to their life and adapt to new expectations.

The Aberdeen Art Fair 2013 had a very strong presence from the furniture makers. The stand attracted plenty of interest, whilst Tom Cooper showed us how to sell furniture when he took the prize for ‘largest pieces sold’.

Come and see the launch of my new chair. Something a bit special, something useful and a bit different. Every designer has a chair in them and this one was just waiting to come out. I’m seeing it as more than just a one off.